Another milestone was recently reached in the administration of the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron when the management of the academy signed an agreement with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and other major oil exploration firms in the country for the training of sea farers from the Niger Delta states.
The flag-off ceremony of the training, which was held in the cadets smoke room of the academy at the weekend also had as key co-signatories to the joint venture agreement of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Oando limited.
Expressing appreciation to the joint venture partners on behalf of the management staff, cadets and students of MAN, the Acting Rector, Dr. Mkpamdiok Mkpamdiok said it was gladdening to see a dream become a reality.
Speaking further on the importance of the  joint partnership in the training of cadet, Dr. Mpamdiok said that the core mandate of the academy remains the development of manpower for the Nigeria maritime industries and allied industries of which NAOC, Oando and  indeed the NNPC are cardinal members. Inspite of this important mandate, the Acting Rector, however, regretted that the institution has over the years been denied basic instruments and professional training for efficiency and competitiveness in the global maritime sector.
Such, according to him include lack of national fleet, poor policy, lack of training berths and training ship for the academy. Other deficiencies experienced by the academy also include survival training tools, poorly equipped e-library and simulators.
He, however, expressed the hope that in view of the significance of the partnership, there is a compelling need to raise the bar in the quality of service rendered to end-users. “We strongly need a better position to continue to provide that quality of maritime training and education that can compete favourably on the global maritime landscape,” Mkpamdiok said.
Speaking on behalf of Oando Ltd, Mr. Massimo Insulla, who represented the company Managing Director, disclosed that, Oando has always been an active partner and contributor to the manpower development of youth from the host communities in particular  and the Nigeria maritime sector in  general, as well as critical stakes in the Nigerian power sector .
He highlighted that, apart from the over 280 youths from the Niger Delta host communities currently engaged in diverse training programmes, other components of the ENI marine capacity development initiative include construction of a marine  laboratory, (comprising 3 workshops, simulation rooms, meeting rooms and office) in 2016, and practical sea-time training programme, that was inaugurated in early 2017. On the essence of the joint partnership with MAN, Insulla stated that, the “event is extremely important as it is the first in the history of capacity building programmes sponsored by the joint venture.”
He, therefore, reiterated the company’s commitment to its success.
While the representative of the Ministries of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Tonye Thom-Mannuel said that, she was delighted for the joint venture initiative of the oil companies towards addressing some critical needs in the maritime sector, especially as they affect training of youths from the host communities.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos